Green Coral Goby - Small

Green Coral Goby
 

The Green Coral Goby gets its name because of its green body colour. The body and head also have a covering of a variety of orange or red lines, stripes, and spots. Fins can be paler yellow or green translucent colours. This species doesn't have scales on its body. It can secrete toxic mucus which protects its skin and deters predators.

Green Coral Gobies are bi-directional protogynous hermaphrodites. They can change from female to male and back again. It is not uncommon for them to spawn in an aquarium. They lay eggs on the underside of SPS corals such as Acropora. This should be monitored as it can cause coral tissue to recede. However, if aquarium conditions are good, the coral tissue will regenerate. Gobies are known for being monogamous and form distinctive pairs for breeding.

This species' natural habitat is in the Indo-West Pacific. Locations include the Red Sea, Southern Japan, the Great Barrier Reef, and Samoa. It is commonly found on reefs amongst sort and hard coral between depths of 2-15 meters.

Tank Recommendations for the Green Coral Goby
A Green Coral Goby should be housed in a tank that is at least 30 gallons (113.5 liters) capacity.

They are best suited to reef aquariums as they spend a lot of time amongst the coral. They enjoy having established colonies of Acropora coral in a tank environment. However, they may nip at polyps of SPS corals, although this shouldn't do extensive damage.

A suitable tank should also have live rock and live sand substrate, for grazing and hiding. They will use ornaments and rockwork for hiding and shelter if there is no coral in an aquarium.

Suitable Tank Buddies
Green Coral Gobies generally have a peaceful temperament. They are best kept with other docile species.

They may show aggression toward conspecifics, especially if co-habiting in a small tank.

Usually Compatible
Suitable tank buddies include Dwarf Angelfish, Anthias, Clownfish, Tangs, and reef-safe Wrasses.

Sometime Compatible
Care should be taken with conspecifics. Be sure to monitor them with Large Angelfish, Hogfish, Squirrelfish, Parrotfish, Triggerfish, and large Wrasses.

Rarely Compatible
Large, aggressive predators such as Eels, Groupers, Shark/Rays, and Frogfish should be avoided.

Feeding your Green Coral Goby
Green Coral Gobies are carnivorous. They will consume a variety of living, frozen, and freeze-dried meaty food products. Suitable items include brine shrimp, Mysis shrimp, chopped seafood, bloodworms, and cyclops. They might also eat carnivore flake foods and pellets. It is best to feed them once or twice per day, but only put in the tank what they can consume in a couple of minutes.